In this episode of Product Unfiltered, we had the privilege of hosting Vijay Pitchumani, Director of Product at Okta, a leader in identity and access management.
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Product Unfiltered: The Zero to One Product Playbook: Lessons from Vijay Pitchumani, Director of Product at Okta
With over 10 years of experience, Vijay shared invaluable insights into his journey, industry trends, and the lessons learned along the way. Here are some key takeaways from the session:
Key Takeaways:
1. Transitioning into Product Management
• Vijay began his career in industrial engineering before transitioning into product management at VMware.
• His early experience in technical consulting exposed him to customer pain points, which piqued his interest in product management.
• Key lesson: Customer insights and stakeholder management were crucial stepping stones in his product journey.
2. Building a Successful Product
• Vijay’s proudest achievement was the launch of Okta Identity Governance — a zero-to-one product built in just eight months.
• He emphasized that the process of scaling a product from 100 to 1,000 customers requires a completely different approach than the initial stages of building and launching.
3. The Importance of Saying No
• As a product manager, being able to prioritize and say no is essential for productivity and impact.
• Vijay shared how delegation and focus on tasks with the most potential impact are key to success, especially in a fast-paced work environment.
4. Productivity Hacks for Product Leaders
• Vijay highlighted the significance of observing leadership to understand decision-making processes and strategies.
• He advised early-stage product managers to have strong opinions and ask the right questions to drive product vision, even when working on top-down initiatives.
5. Navigating the Identity and Access Management (IAM) Industry
• Vijay shared his experiences at Okta, explaining that Okta’s identity products ensure secure access for users and organizations.
• With the rise of remote work and cloud adoption, identity security has become critical, and Okta is at the forefront of solving these challenges.
6. Adapting to Industry Trends and AI
• Vijay discussed how the post-COVID landscape rapidly changed the security landscape with increased cloud adoption and remote work.
• He shared his excitement about the role AI will play in enhancing security, predicting that the complexity of security and identity management will only increase with AI’s growth.
7. Advice for Aspiring Product Managers
• For those evaluating product management as a career, Vijay recommends assessing if they are comfortable making tough decisions and trade-offs.
• He also emphasized that early in your career, focus on learning and experimentation—even if you don’t hold a formal product manager title.
8. Imposter Syndrome and Leadership
• Vijay offered practical advice for overcoming imposter syndrome by focusing on the value you bring to the table, especially in understanding customer needs.
• He encouraged product managers to maintain a strong customer focus while balancing business needs and maintaining team morale.
#ProductManagement #Entrepreneurship #IdentityManagement #Innovation #TechIndustry #ProductUnfiltered
Product Unfiltered is a platform dedicated to fostering insightful conversations with industry experts, thought leaders, and innovators in the realm of product management. Our podcast aims to provide a space for sharing diverse perspectives, best practices, and emerging trends that shape the ever-evolving field of product management. Join us as we delve into the minds of those driving innovation and creating impactful products across industries.
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